Wicketkeeper-batsman Shreevats Goswami, a member of the 2008 Under-19 World Cup-winning team, made startling allegations on Thursday regarding a match in the Cricket Association of Bengal’s (CAB) first division league. Goswami claimed that certain dismissals during the game suggested possible match-fixing.
Taking to his Facebook page, Goswami shared videos from a match between Mohammedan Sporting and Town Club, raising suspicions about the integrity of the game.
He suggested that Mohammedan Sporting players appeared to be deliberately getting out to concede seven points to Town Club, an association linked with CAB secretary Debabrata Das, who previously served as the Indian team’s administrative manager during the 2022 England tour. “This is a Super Division match in Kolkata Club Cricket, two big teams doing this, any idea what’s going on here??” Shreevats Goswami questioned in his post.
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The videos depicted instances where batsmen seemingly made unusual exits, such as a right-hander leaving a ball straight to his stumps and a left-hander stepping out of the crease to be stumped off a wide delivery.
While Debabrata Das was unavailable for comment, CAB president Snehasish Ganguly stated that they have requested reports from the umpires and observers. “We have called a tournament committee meeting on March 2 to take up the matter,” Ganguly confirmed.
#ShreevatsGoswami alleges match-fixing in Kolkata league cricket; #CAB says it’s probing
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— TOI Sports (@toisports) February 29, 2024
Shreevats Goswami, 34, condemned the match as a case of ‘got up’ cricket, expressing disappointment at the tarnishing of the sport he holds dear.
“I am ashamed to see this having played the game which is so close to my heart. I love cricket and I love playing in Bengal but looking at this breaks my heart.“Club cricket is heart and soul of Bengal cricket please don’t ruin it. I think this is called ‘got up’ cricket. Where is the media now?” Shreevats Goswami lamented.
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The three-day match concluded at the 22 Yards Academy in Salt Lake, with Town Club securing seven points. Shakib Habib Gandhi’s magnificent 223 propelled Town Club to a formidable 446. In response, Mohammedan Sporting managed 281/9, with Joyjit Basu contributing a century. However, Sporting faltered after Basu’s dismissal, leading to speculation surrounding the match’s integrity.
